In India, food adulteration has been a recurring problem. Recently, another case surfaced in Madhya Pradesh. Police in Gwalior seized a consignment of fake cumin, which was actually fennel seeds coated with cement, chemicals, colour, and artificial fragrance. Scroll down to know more!
Adulterated Cumin Found In Madhya Pradesh
The fake cumin found in Madhya Pradesh has raised serious health concerns for consumers. It also makes people question whether they are trusting the right brand for their families. As per NDTV, the police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against three businessmen in connection with the Shivpujari brand. They are accused of making and selling adulterated cumin under this well-known brand name. The three accused are Hitesh Singhal, also known as Champak, from Vinay Nagar; Manoj, the manager of Maa Sheetla Cold Storage in Purani Chhawani; and Titu Agarwal from Jhansi.
The racket came to light when authorities seized 46 sacks of fake cumin from a transport company in Bahodapur. The consignment, worth over ₹3.25 lakh, was being transported to Jhansi. Vimal Kumar Patel, the owner of the Shivpujari brand and a resident of Mehsana, Gujarat, filed the complaint. He claimed that the accused were printing packaging identical to his brand.
Investigations revealed that, along with cement-coated fennel seeds, some old or spoiled cumin was chemically treated to make it look fresh. The culprits sold fake products at ₹150-180 per kg, while genuine branded cumin typically costs ₹250-450 per kg.
Also Read: Man Accuses SMART Bazaar Of Selling Expired Paneer At ₹15; Says, “Playing With People’s Health”
How To Identify Fake Cumin
If you’re wondering how to spot fake cumin, here’s what to look for. You have to watch out for unusually bright or shiny seeds, uneven colour, or a strong artificial fragrance. Real cumin usually has a natural brown colour, a uniform texture, and a distinct earthy aroma. If your selected seeds feel hard or have a chalky coating, they could be adulterated. Most importantly, always buy from trusted sources.
Trusted brands can also easily fool you, so make sure you check the quality properly. Consumers should report suspicious products to protect their health and prevent such fraud in the future.
So, next time you’re buying any spices from the market, make sure you run a proper quality check!
Also Read: FSSAI Launches Nationwide Campaign Against Adulterated Milk And Dairy Products
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